“It’s a small school, everybody’s really nice there, and it’s close to home,” she explained as her reasons for choosing SCC.
Asked what drew SCC’s attention to Payne, Lady Saints coach Lana Richmond responded, “First of all, she wants to be at Shawnee! The thing is she pitches, she plays outfield, and she can swing a bat. So, she’s multi-dimensional. At a junior college, that’s what you want: someone who can come in and do a lot of different things. She’s going to join another teammate from Graves County: Lindsay Medlin, an outfielder with us now, who is a freshman. So, we’re excited to get her!”
Payne and her teammates should benefit from their coach’s experience. The SCC web site notes, “Coach Richmond will be in her first season at Shawnee Community College. She comes out of retirement after 32 years at NCAA Division 1 Southeast Missouri State University. A five-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Richmond has reached plenty of milestones throughout her decorated career…”
As for McKenzie Payne, Graves County head coach Jerry Kemp said, “I’ve seen her play for the last five or six years. Shawnee College is getting a good recruit here.”
Across the Seams Baseball/Softball owner Todd Sims attended the signing and said, “I’ve been working with McKenzie going on a year now with hitting instruction. The biggest thing I’ve noticed about her is her work ethic and how she handles herself here at school Her off-the-field prowess is at a very high level. She has brought her athletic ability to the table with me. I’ve been working with young people for 40 years now, some at very high levels. McKenzie is getting to that level. She has the chance to have a really great year. She’s taken the Doyle System that we teach and has done really well with it. I’m proud of her!”
“I’ve seen her play from 8-youth to her senior year here. It’s been a real privilege to watch her progress,” said Graves assistant coach David Travis. “It’s just amazing how much time she’s put into it. She’s very dedicated. I’m glad to be a part of it.”
McKenzie Payne’s parents expressed pride in their daughter’s achievements and their joy that she’ll attend college relatively close to home. Her mother, Tammy Payne, concluded, “I’m glad she’s continuing her softball career and that I’ll get to see her play in college.”
